He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on March 25, 1897 and died in office on March 11, 1911. He was affiliated to the Free Democratic Party.

During his office time he held the following departments:

Department of Justice and Police (1897 - 1900)
Political Department as President of the Confederation (1901)
Department of Justice and Police (1902 - 1907)
Political Department as President of the Confederation (1908)
Department of Justice and Police (1909 - 1911)